MLB Player News

Karinchak picked up the save against the White Sox on Tuesday, pitching a perfect inning and registering one strikeout.

After Cleveland ace Shane Bieber held Chicago scoreless over nine frames, the Tribe put up two in the top of the 10th inning to set the reigning AL Cy Young award winner up for a win. Karinchak was called upon to seal the deal, and he retired Chicago in order on 16 pitches. The save was the first of the season for the right-hander, who has yet to allow a run while striking out six across four innings this season.

Neris (0-1) took the loss and blew his first save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while recording only one out.

The Phillies took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, but the bad version of Neris showed up in the bottom half of the frame. The right-hander threw only 13 of 22 pitches for strikes, eventually serving up a bases-loaded walkoff single to Jonathan Villar. Neris hadn't allowed a run in five appearances coming into Tuesday, and on the season he still sports a 1.69 ERA and 5:3 K:BB through six innings.

Scott (0-1) allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out two to take an extra-inning loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Scott allowed an RBI double to Kyle Seager in the eighth inning, and that was enough to hand the southpaw his first loss of the year. He's yet to give up an earned run in 2021, yielding just two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across 4.1 innings this season. Scott also has two holds, and he could be in the mix for saves as well.

Valdez (2-0) recorded the win in a 7-6 victory during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, giving up one hit and striking out one in a scoreless seventh inning.

The changeup specialist entered the game after the M's had tied things up off Adam Plutko in the top half of the seventh, and Valdez was rewarded for his efforts when the O's walked it off on a Ramon Urias single. Valdez has a 1.42 ERA and 6:1 K:BB through 6.1 innings to begin the season with two saves in addition to his two wins, and for the moment he's manager Brandon Hyde's most trusted high-leverage arm.

Trivino earned the save during Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks with one walk and zero strikeouts during a scoreless ninth inning.

The 29-year-old issued a one-out walk to Tim Locastro, but the right-hander quickly induced a double play to close out the game and notch his first save of 2021. Trivino has allowed one run on two hits with a 9:4 K:BB through 8.2 innings this season.

Graveman picked up the first save of his career in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles, tossing a perfect eighth inning in a 4-3 victory.

Rafael Montero got the call in the seventh to protect a 3-2 lead but blew his third save of the season, setting the stage for Graveman to get the job done after Seattle reclaimed the lead in the top of the eighth. The right-hander hasn't given up a run this year in five innings over four appearances with a 5:2 K:BB, and with Montero having trouble in high-pressure spots, Graveman could begin to see more save chances moving forward.

Montero (1-0) got the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Orioles after blowing his third save of the season, giving up one run on two hits and a walk in one inning of relief. He struck out one.

Entering the game in the seventh inning to protect a 3-2 lead, Montero instead gave up a two-out run to send the game to extra innings, only for the M's to retake the lead in the top of the eighth. The right-hander is just 2-for-5 on save chances to begin his tenure in Seattle, and while Montero's 4.26 ERA and 8:3 K:BB through 6.1 innings are far from terrible, he could begin to cede save opportunities to Kendall Graveman (who got the save in Game 1 on Tuesday) or Keynan Middleton if he doesn't find some consistency.

Strop (1-0) worked around a hit and a walk to pitch a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win Tuesday against the Brewers. He struck out one.

Strop picked up his first win since July 19, 2019, as he only pitched 2.1 innings in the majors last year for the Reds. The veteran was added to the Cubs' roster Monday as a replacement player with three relievers placed on the COVID-19 injured list. The win is a nice moment for the fan favorite, but Strop doesn't hold a ton of fantasy value in his current role.

Kimbrel pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to record the save in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Brewers. He walked one and struck out one.

It's been smooth sailing so far for Kimbrel, who has started the season with six scoreless innings, 10 strikeouts and three saves across five appearances. If the veteran reliever can keep this up, he'll be an invaluable fantasy asset, particularly considering his low cost of acquisition in this spring's drafts. He's coming off a pair of rough seasons, but Kimbrel turned things around down the stretch last year, and it certainly looks like he's carrying that success forward.

Merryweather exited Tuesday's win over the Yankees with left hip irritation, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The right-hander needed only two pitches to record the final out of the eighth inning and was expected to return for the ninth to close out the save, but he was instead pulled due to hip irritation. The severity of the injury remains unclear, so Merryweather should be considered day-to-day until more information is provided. Jordan Romano should be the primary candidate for saves if Merryweather is forced to miss time, though Rafael Dolis could also be in the mix.